The Crucible

Arthur Miller

Hale is a minister at the end of his rope. He can no longer stand for what is going on in the small town of Salem. He is first speaking to a judge and then to a woman. This is a very dramatic scene, good luck.

   The sun will rise in a few minutes. There are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots’ cry will end his life-and you wonder yet if rebellion’s spoke? Better you should marvel how they do not burn your province! You ask why I have come here!?(Frustrated, pause, then sarcastically) I come to do the Devil’s work. I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves. (His sarcasm collapses.)   There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!! (Now speaks to a woman) Your husband is marked to hang this morning. I come on my own. I would save your husband’s life, for if he is taken I count myself his murderer. Do you understand me?     Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up. Beware; cleave to no faith when faith brings blood. If is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. I beg you, woman, prevail upon you husband to confess. Let him give his lie. Quail not before God’s judgment in this, for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride. Will you plead with him? I cannot think he will listen to another.